This essay examines the possible scenarii for regional conflict over water resources, with emphasis on China the Asian region's superpower which, through its control of the Tibetan plateau, is likely to divert large amounts of water from major Asian rivers to meet its growing needs in a context of worrying scarcity. That policy is bound to cause conflicts with India, Indochinese states and even Russia, already alarmed by China's territorial claims. This paper advocates the creation of an Asia—Pacific bloc, including India, Russia, ASEAN and Australia, independent of both China and the US, which are seen by the author as likely to remain objective allies or partners.
